GDP ERDDAP Metrics

As of: August 13, 2025


Data from Global Drifter Program (GDP) buoys, as well as products derived from GDP buoys, is available in various formats via the AOML GDP ERDDAP™.


For instructions on how to navigate the ERDDAP™ server, establish machine to machine (m2m) requests, and customize your data request, visit 6-Hour Interpolated Data Request Instructions. For additional resources and step-by-step guidance, visit the AOML GDP ERDDAP™ Tutorial on


With the growing importance for strong data management principles, Samantha Ouertani's 'An Overview of the Global Drifter Program's ERDDAP™ Server: From Set-up to Metrics' seminar detailing the benefits of the Global Drifter Program's ERDDAP™ server is available on . For those interested in establishing an ERDDAP™ server, reference the presentation for great insight, links, and additional resources!

GDP monthly metrics reports are also available in .pdf format



ERDDAP™ Dashboard

Monthly Downloads:

4,416

Monthly Unique Users:

568

Total Number of Downloads:
(since June 2023)

40,989

Total Number of Unique Users:
(since June 2023)

3,612



Previous Month Downloads by Day



Previous Year Downloads By Month





Total Downloads by Dataset/Product
(since June 2023)




Total Downloads by Location
(since June 2023)







Total Downloads by File Type
(since June 2023)




GDP Dashboard Metrics



Number of Unique Drifters:
(since 1979)

28,759 drifters

Buoy Years of GDP Data:
(since 1979)

33,981 years

Buoy Years - Drogue On:
(since 1979)

15,357 years



GDP Array Evolution:

Global Drifter Coverage:


Deployments by Drifter Type:
(since 1979)

Standard Drifter - 17,536
with Barometer - 12,793
with Wind - 600
with Wave - 510
with Salinity - 279
with Optics - 11

GDP Collaborators:
(Deployments by Country)
(since 1987 - where known)



Total Drifter Deployments:
(since 1979)
(Including FODs, re-deployments, transmitted
but failed (i.e., <3days of data), etc.)

30,963

Failed on Deployment (FOD):
(since 1979)

1,111

Failed on Deployment %:

3.7%